Heli Skiing FAQs

Safety has always been the priority at Northern Escape and during the pandemic, this is even more apparent. We want everyone going home safe and sound at the end of the trip, and so we have introduced a comprehensive COVID safety plan. Please read this page for full details of all the safety measures:

• We have introduced a worry-free booking policy with a 100% refund or future credit, if you are unable to travel due to COVID travel restrictions.
• Cohorts will be separated wherever possible to prevent cross-contamination.
• Facilities will be regularly sanitized before and after use.
• Lunches will be individually packaged, and dinner service will be plated.

All staff undergo frequent COVID screening and abide by a strict PPE policy.

We provide powder skis, poles, powder snowboards and all avalanche safety equipment. You are of course, free to bring your own skis or board. All you need to bring is your basic gear with some options for colder or snowy weather. We recommend you bring a waterproof shell, insulating base layers and shell pants. Also, the usual suspects include waterproof gloves, boots (ski or snowboard), goggles (multiple lenses are helpful), a helmet, a rolling ski/board bag and your favourite action camera. Check out this link for more details.

Valid question and firm no! Any strong intermediate rider who is confident on a blue ski run and can manage boot top to knee-deep powder will be able to have a blast heli skiing or heli boarding. This myth and others are busted here

Ten people is the maximum number of people for our new Mountain Lodge. Our Yellow Cedar Lodge can house up to 18 people. Please see our Private Package page for further details.

As with everything, the price varies. At some day heli skiing operations, a 3-run package can cost as little as $1000. (Northern Escape does not offer day heli skiing).

On average, the cost is between $1,400 – $2,500 per day depending on the package you choose and the time of year. Please see this link for more details of the packages and options available. Northern Escape’s prices are all-inclusive of meals, lodging, guides, equipment rental, and of course our “lift pass”.

We offer three different packages: Classic, Elite, and Private. Each package has its unique perks and differences.

Yes, you can take a look at it here in advance. It’s now available in seven languages.

It’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a whole lot of fun in between! But seriously, our day begins with a complimentary in-lodge stretch at 7:00 am. Breakfast is served at 7:30 am. After breakfast, you will go through some safety briefings with your guides. You will depart from the lodge to the mountains around 8:45 am.

After some runs, you will enjoy a nice lunch on the slopes. Depending on the time of the year, our groups might start coming back at 4:45 pm.

We will have good food and cold beer waiting for you at our Après Ski. In the meantime, enjoy a relaxing massage or a hot tub (don’t forget to bring a swimsuit!). Dinner is served at 7 pm.

See our Heli-Skiing Itinerary post for more detailed information.

Book a flight from your location to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. From Vancouver it’s a short 90-min flight to get to our location in Terrace BC with one of two airlines:

1. Air Canada or
2. WestJet

We will have a representative waiting for you at the airport. It’s a short 20-minute drive from the Terrace airport to our Yellow Cedar Lodge, and a 15-min heli flight to our new Mountain Lodge. For more information click here.

Yes, we do. You can bring your equipment if you like, but it isn’t necessary. If you would like to travel lighter feel free to use ours including a selection of Prior Snowboards & Skis. We have plenty for everyone and they are already included in your heli-ski package.

Absolutely! Cat skiing is a type of experience that will challenge your ability to work as a team, but also bring you closer together. It is strongly recommended that each family member is at an intermediate level or above. The minimum age for heli-skiing and cat skiing is 16. Read more about cat skiing for families here.

The Yellow Cedar Lodge is built of heavy cedar timber and is located in the woods on the banks of the Skeena River. This is your home for the Classic package and offers accommodations for 18 people, sauna, hot tub, gym, games room, Wi-Fi, and outdoor Ullr Bar.

The new Mountain Lodge is a purpose-built $4.5M lodge opened in 2020 and is one of the sport’s most comfortable accommodations. It features a massage room, hot tub, games room, ski shop, fast Wi-Fi, and comfortable lounges. This is the home for Elite package guests.

For more details about accommodation click here.

Each lodge features its culinary team of Red Seal chefs that prepare your food with the finest locally-sourced seasonal ingredients accompanied by a Sommelier-curated wine list of award-winning BC wines.

All meals are included in the cost of the package.

Yes, we do! Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies, or if you follow a special diet. Our cooks like to get creative and will do the best they can to impress you.

Yes, both of our lodges include complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.

Yes, you will! It may be spotty at certain places, but we will show you the best spots to make a cell phone call. But many guests just use our high-speed wifi for calling.

We don’t have a laundry service, but you are more than welcome to use our laundry facilities at the lodges.

It is not mandatory, but we highly suggest purchasing medical insurance. If you have insurance coverage already, please ensure that it covers sports, such as heli-skiing.

We average 8-15 runs per day, but many factors may come into play here (i.e. Unlimited Vertical, weather, safety issues).

Bring your ski boots in your carry-on. That’s the only item we can’t provide if your luggage gets delayed.
Don’t worry about bringing cash; you won’t be using your wallet until checkout day. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Amex for incidental payment.
The average temperature around our skiing terrain is -6C (21F). For skiwear, we recommend layers: base layer and mid layers such as Icebreaker Merino long underwear. Next, an outer layer such as an Arc’teryx shell made of Gore-Tex. Another piece that is nice to have under your shell for colder days to keep your core warm is an insulated vest or softshell. A neck warmer and a toque is also a good idea.
Dress casual around the lodge, jeans and comfortable clothes. Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit to enjoy the hot tub and sauna.

Our terrain includes 5,500 sq km of big mountains and untouched powder. Over 100 ft of snowfalls in the Terrace area each year. Our cat skiing area covers more than 29 square km’s (7,000 acres) of cat skiing trails.

You should plan your trip for any time between mid-December and mid-April, as this is the length of Northern Escape Heli Skiing’s season. You will most likely experience the deepest powder from the end of December till the end of January. You can always check the current weather condition here.

Heli-Skiing Safety is our absolute priority. We will provide you with safety gear, which includes transceivers, shovels, probes, and airbag backpacks. Transceivers emit radio signals that are vital for locating a person buried in the snow. In addition, you will receive safety training from our ACMG certified heli-ski guides. You can read more about the safety equipment here.

Who doesn’t want to share a brag-worthy video of your first run on untouched powder? You can bring your GoPro camera; however, helicopters and drones don’t mix well, so please leave your drone at home.